The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-05-27
NO. 36.
The Life of an Apple Tree.

AT the last meeting OF the MISSOURI
State Horticultural Society, Mr.. Chas
Teubner read the following essay on
this subject: from which we give a
few extracts containing facts valuable
to all who have orchards.
A prominent horticulturist made
the statement in my presence some
time since, that an apple tree was Of
little profit after its twenty fifth year,
or in other words, its time of useful
service was then over. Taking the av-
erage be Nng trees, under the treat
ment and conditions in which they are
found in these days, l believe he came
near, though perhaps over the mark.
But | have seen abundant evidence
that such need not be the case, and
that add five to ten years, or more of
usefulness to this our king of fruits.
CAUSES OF SHORTENED LIFE.
The primary causes, according to my
view, are: 1st. Poor or exhausted soil,
or such as does not afford proper drain.
age. End. Oyerbearing. 3rd. Allow
ing the trees to stand for years in the
sod. 4th. Omitting to replace by ar
tifcial means, the fertility which crops
Of fruit draw out. 5th. The want of
sufficient moisture during our season
Of severe drouth, which leaves the tree
in poor condition to withstand a severe
winter. In short, it is the enfeeb]ed
or exhausted condition into which it Is
forced that causes the trees to die pre-
maturely. There are secondary causes
of decay, such as the injury done by
borers, rabbits, mice, cattle and sheep,
the plowshare and doubletree, heavy
pruning, and the sowing of grain
among young trees. These, however,
are so-called accidents.
HOW TO INCREASE THE LIFE.
In order to give trees longer lease
of life, we must hold the following
points in view: A rich, deep, we'll
drained soil. An apple tree requires
generous fare, as the large crop it pro-
duces are heavy drain upon the sys-
tenn.
A STRONG CONSTITUTION,
Should be built up from the start,
hence it is best to plant thrifty young
trees, keeping them we'll titled and pro-
tected from injuries. All planters of
experience agree that young trees are
the best. They start off quicker than
old ones, become better established,
and will therefore be apt to live longer.
Rich soil and cultivation will not only
make the trees thrifty and strong, but
it also tends to save it from injury due
to over-bearing. In thus building up
a strong constitution, the tree will re-
ouire several years longer to come into
bearing, but the future will show q bal
ance largely in favor of such trees both
as to product and longevity.
OVER-BEARING.
By bearing many trees are ir.
reparably injured. Many planters,
however, are so much afflicted with the
nickel in the eye, that they sacrifice
the prospective dollar. In other words
they are so eager for crop that their
trees die of broken back long before
their day of usefulness should be over.
Trees just coming into bearing should
be carefully watched, and if the crop
forming is too large, the evil can be
averted by thinning out.
SUFFICIENT NoURIsHMENT,
Must be supplied. When the soil is
not sufficiently rich it should be made
so by applying manure, fertilizers or
ashes, or by repeated crops of clover
plowed under, There is nothing that
will begin to compare with wood
ashes for strengthening and renovating
apple trees. 1t is the true elixir of
apple tree life. Nothing is so deleter-
Gus and exhausting in its effect upon
trees. especially young ones, as grain,
while long continued grass sod comes
in as a good second These drains
from the soil the moisture at just that
time when trees stand most in need oft.
After a few years of cultivation in a
young orchard, clover may be sown
to advantage, especially if the first crop
be used as mulch, and the second
crop plowed under also as manure.
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